Cyberbullying

What is Cyberbullying?

"In general, cyberbullying involves sending or posting harmful or cruel text and/or images using the Internet or other digital communication devices, such as cell phones. Cyberbullying may occur on personal websites or it may be transmitted via e-mail, social networking sites, chat rooms, message boards, instant messaging, or cell phones. Cyberbullying occurs most often when children are at home, but it can also take place during school." 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Investigation:

A. Upon being notified of a cyberbullying incident, the building leadership team assesses the situation and engages in an investigation. Notification may occur through email, phone call, or in person report. This involves conducting interviews with the aggressor, intended victim, parents of both, peers, teachers, and other relevant individuals. The goal of the investigation is to gather the fullest picture possible of the situation.

B. If there is a threat of suicide or history of suicidal behavior discovered as part of the investigation, the team will involve their School Counselor/School Psychologist/School Social Worker who will implement the suicide risk assessment process. 

C.  If there is a threat of violence towards others discovered as part of the investigation, the team will involve the Behavioral Threat Safety Coordinator (541-510-1545) and conduct a Level 1 Behavioral Safety Assessment.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Response When Evidence Supports Cyberbullying Incident:

A. For the victim(s):

 i. Consult with the victim and their parents/guardian regarding desired outcomes when the bullying is resolved. 

ii. Connect the victim with a trusted adult (school employee and/or appropriate community resource)  

    who will provide support and ongoing assistance.

iii. Inform relevant teachers that the victim may need some accommodations to decrease the academic 

     impact of the cyberbullying.

iv. If appropriate, consider creating a safety plan to protect the victim.

B. For the aggressor(s):

i.   Notify the parents of the aggressor to alert them to the concern and discuss the

    incident.

ii.   Request that any posted online material pertaining to the bullying be

    immediately removed.

iii.  Additionally, consider providing support to the family for establishing online

      supervision for the aggressor.

iv. Establish on-going support/training to the aggressor for the purpose of

    ameliorating behavior.

     v. Ensure peer groups have training in on-line safety and behavior.

    vi. To avoid First Amendment claims, do not impose discipline for off-campus “speech” by the  

              aggressor unless the incident caused or threatened to cause a substantial and material    

             disruption  to the educational environment, or interfered with the victim’s right to be free from a 

             hostile educational environment. Contact legal counsel with concerns.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Consequences:

A. If the cyberbullying took place on a 4J-owned device, the administrator may consider implementing technology restrictions for the student, due to violation of the studentTech Agreement.

B. If the cyberbullying took place on a student-owned device, the administrator may consider pursuing other consequences for the student’s behavior.